A woman who has spent her whole life in Pershore ran the London marathon last weekend for her brother who passed away from pancreatic cancer. 

Jo Tolley, 51, is a funeral director and manager at E Hill & Son Funeral Directors and said that her family were "devastated" by the loss of her brother, Steve Hollings.

Mr Hollings was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer four years ago, but went into remission and it was believed that he was cured.

However, he passed away on April 9, 2021 from pancreatic cancer. 

Mrs Tolley said: "This was my fifth marathon and I had not planned to run another one.

"However, when I was offered a place for pancreatic cancer I knew that I had to do it. 

"Steve was a much loved husband and father to his three children whom he has left behind.

"He was a larger than life character and losing him had devastated us.

"It’s unacceptable that more than half of people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer die within 3 months.

"Survival rates have improved enormously for most cancers, yet for pancreatic cancer, this is not the case."

Running this marathon in particular was very meaningful for Mrs Tolley and she was proud to have run her final marathon in five hours and six minutes despite suffering with tendonitis in her leg in the months leading up to the event. 

She said that while she is sad to have run her last marathon, she knows that she cannot do them forever and has been "overwhelmed" by the support from local businesses.

She added: "The local support has been amazing and I want to thank the businesses that have helped with my total: Carrs News, The Vale Crematorium, Vale Accounts & Payroll Services, Abbey Butchers, Memory Lane Memorials, Newlands Chip Shop, GD Vehicle Solutions, The Angel Inn Hotel, Grab a Greek, E Hill & Son, Woodlands 159 and Santay Lettings."

So far, Mrs Tolley has raised £3,390 for Pancreatic Cancer UK.

You can donate to Jo Tolley's fundraising efforts here.